59 U.S.

60
18 How. 60
15 L.Ed. 265

JOHN G. GRAHAM, PLAINTIFF IN ERROR,

v.
ALEXANDER BAYNE.
December Term, 1855

THIS case was brought up by writ of error, from the circuit court of the
United States for the district of Illinois.
It was an action of ejectment brought by Bayne against Graham, to
recover the southeast quarter of section 15, in townships seven, range four
east.
The circumstances under which the case came up are stated in the opinion
of the court. It was argued by Mr. Browning for the plaintiff in error, and
Mr. Williams, for the defendant; but as their arguments were directed to
the merits of the case, which were not decided by this court, they are
omitted.
Mr. Justice GRIER delivered the opinion of the court.

This case was tried in the circuit court for the district of Illinois, without the
intervention of a jury, and under the following agreement of counsel:

'Be it remembered, that upon the calling of this cause for trial, by the mutual
agreement of the parties, and in accordance with the laws and practice of this
State, a jury was waived, and both matters of law and fact were submitted to the
court, upon the distinct understanding that the right of either party should be
full and perfect to object to the admission of improper evidence, and to insist
upon the admission of competent evidence, with the same privilege of
excepting to the rulings of the court in either case, as though the cause were
tried by a jury; and with the right to either party to avail himself in the supreme
court of any erroneous ruling in this court, precisely as though the cause had
been submitted to a jury, and with liberty to either party, if it should be
necessary to a hearing of this cause in the supreme court, to treat the evidence

in this cause in the nature of a special verdict.'

3

The common law has been adopted by Illinois, and all the States except
Louisiana. In that State, the courts of the United States have been compelled to
adopt the forms of pleading and practice peculiar to the civil law and the code.
That system knows no distinction between law and equity. All cases are tried
alike, on petition and answer, with or without the intervention of a jury, as the
parties may elect.

This court having separate jurisdiction, both in equity and law, is compelled to
distinguish. They can review cases in common law by writ of error only, and on
bills of exception presenting questions of law. The circuit courts may adopt the
forms of pleading and practice of the state courts, but no state legislation can be
applied to the practice of this court, and the mode in which causes shall be
brought into it for review.

The very numerous cases on this subject, (from Field v. United States, 9 Pet.
182, to Arthurs and Hart, 17 How. 6,) show the difficulties we have had to
encounter in reconciling our modes of review to the civil code of practice as
used in the courts of Louisiana.

But in the States governed by the common law, and where the circuit courts are
not compelled to adopt every new code of practice invented for the benefit of
state courts, there is no reason why the strict rules of the common law should
be in anywise relaxed or changed in this court, to suit the anomalies in practice
thus introduced in the circuit courts. That the courts of the United States should
not be hasty in adopting new codes of practice, which attempt to ingraft the
civil law system of pleading and practice on the stalk of the common law, the
cases of Butterworth v. Burnet, and Toby v. Randon, 11 How., most amply
demonstrate.

The 11th section of the practice act of Illinois, (March 3, 1845,) permits matters
both of fact and law to be tried by the court, if both parties agree.

Counsel may agree, as in this case, to submit both fact and law to the decision
of the court; but they cannot, by agreement, introduce a new practice into this
court, or compel us to adopt the provisions of the 22d section of the same act,
as to the mode in which such cases shall be reviewed in error. The practice of
this court is regulated by the common law and acts of congress only. See
Bayard v. Lombard, How. 530.

If the parties agree to submit the trial both of fact and law to the judge, they
constitute him an arbitrator, or referee, whose award must be final and
conclusive between them; but no consent can constitute this court appellate
arbitrators. When the error alleged does not appear on the face of the record, or
on a demurrer, a bill of exceptions to the ruling of the court on questions of law,
either in admitting or rejecting testimony, or in their instructions to the jury,
constitutes the only mode of bringing a case before this court for review.

10

It is true, that when there is no dispute as to the facts, counsel may agree on a
case stated in the nature of a special verdict; and the judgment of the court
below on such case stated, or verdict, may be reviewed here on a writ of error.
See Stimpson v. The Railroad, 10 How. 329.

11

The counsel in this case have agreed, that 'if it should be necessary to a hearing
of this cause in the supreme court, to treat the evidence in the nature of a special
verdict,' this agreement may be good as between themselves, and point out the
source from which the facts for a case stated, or special verdict, may be drawn,
but it cannot compel this court to search through the evidence to find out the
facts. The record exhibits the testimony and evidence laid before the judge. It is
evidence of facts, but not the facts themselves as agreed or found. The court
below decided that a certain deed given in evidence did not show sufficient
'color of title' under the limitation law of Illinois. The act referred to requires
not only 'color of title,' but a possession taken and held 'in good faith,' with
payment of taxes. The question of 'good faith' is one of fact, or of mixed fact
and law, to be decided by the jury under proper instructions from the court. It is
one necessary to be ascertained before the court can give a judgment.

12

Even if we should consent to review this loose statement of evidence as a case

stated, it contains no finding or agreement whatever as to this material fact.
Where there is a case stated, or special verdict, the court of error must not only
reverse the judgment below, if found erroneous, but enter a correct and final
judgment.

13

If a special verdict be ambiguous, or imperfectif it find but the evidence of

facts, and not the facts themselves, or finds but part of the facts in issue, and is
silent as to others, it is a mistrial, and the court of error must order a venire de
novo. They can render no judgment on an imperfect verdict, or case stated. See
Prentice v. Zane, 8 How. 484.

14

No mere agreement of counsel can substitute evidence of facts in place of facts,

or require the opinion of this court on an imperfect statement of them. A writ of

error cannot by these methods be converted into a chancery appeal, nor a court
of error into appellate arbitrators.
15

The judgment of the circuit court is therefore reversed, and a venire de novo
awarded.